Blank-forming machine



BLANK FORMING MACHINE Filed Oct. 2, 1919 5 sheens-sheeo 1 Mar. 6, 1923.

E. J. RAY

BLANK FORMING MACHINE Filed Oct. 2, 1919 5 shears-sheet 2 WWI/V717?- vW4 E. J. RAY

BLANK FORMING MACHINE Mar. 6, 1923.

Filed Oct 2, 1919 Mar. 6, 1923. 1,447,224

RAY

BLANK Emma MAGHINE lq d 09 2-. 2; 1919 shecnawheet 4 1,447,224 E. J. RAY

BLANK FORMING MACHINE FiledlOct. 2, 1919 b sheets-sheet 5 Mar. 6,- 1923.

Patented Mar. 6, 1923.

EUGENE J. BAY, OF BEVERLY, IVIASSAOH USETTS, ASSIG-NOR 'IO UNITED SHOEMACHINERY GORPORATION, OF PATTERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEWJERSEY.

BLANK-FORMING IEACHINE.

Application filed October 2, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGENE J. RAY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Beverly, in the count y of Essex and State oflilassachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Blank-FormingMachines, of which the following description, in connection with theaccompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters onthe drawings indicating. like parts lnthe several figures.

This invention relates to blank forming machines and more particularlyto such machines for performing a series of operations on work of thetype which operate substantially automatically and cease operations whenthe supply of material is stopped.

In operating upon certain kinds of material which have been providedwithmarkings such as ornamental figures or designs, it is necessary informing blanks therefrom that the design shall occupy a'certainpredetermined relation with respect to each blank formed from thematerial- If the work be of rubber or other similar material the blanksmay be varied in size with entire disregard of the amount of scrap orunused material remaining after the formation of blanks. since thepieces of scrap may be returned to the mass of rubber or other suchmaterial, remolded into sheet-s, and subjected to other blank formingoperations. T he extent of the work feeding steps is governed.therefore, not by the size of the blanks but with reference to thelocation of the markings-or designs. Hence the work itself isconvenientlyused to control the work feeding means.

It is an object of the invention to provide a machine which will operaterapidly to cut blanks over a wide range of sizes and to this end thework feeding means is preferably operated to run continuously until itis stopped by means which is controlled by a characteristic of the workbearing a certain predetermined relation to a design orother ornamentaldevice on the material being operated upon.

In one aspect the invention resides in continuously running means forfeeding the work to position for the operation of the blank forminginstrumentalit-ies in association with means controlled by a character-Serial No. 327,987.

istic of the workfor controlling the operation of the work feedingmeans.

In the illustrative. construction the blank forming mechanism isstationary in the vertical plane, and a work support is provided tocarry the work and is arranged to move vertically to present the work.to the blank forming devices, the work support being part of a carriagewhich carries also the work feeding, means, means being provided on thestationary portion of the machine frame for lifting the work support andfor causing the operation of the work feeding means. Preferably, also,the work support carrieswork controlled means for governing theoperation of the work feeding means so that the blanks are formed fromthe sheet material at the proper point.

In another aspect the'invention contemplates a work support carryingwork feeding means, and means for simultaneously operating the worksupport and the work feeding means. lVith the object inview of securingadequate time for the operation of the work feeding means, theconstruction is conveniently such that the work feeding means mayoperate during movements of the work support both toward and from theblank forming devices.

In still another aspect the invention comprises a carriage which carriesboth the work support and the work feeding means toward and from theblank forming devices wherein the feeding means is arranged to becontrolled by a device mounted onthe carriage and controlled in turn bya characteristic of the work.

In the construction shown, the machine is arranged to be started inoperation by the operator actuating a clutch on a counter shaft whichcontrols the work support and the work feeding mechanisms, the arrangement being such that the work is fed to proper position and thenpresented to the blank forming devices before the latter are caused tooperate. Preferably, also, the said counter shaft is provided with meansfor determining the time of operation of the blank forming devices whichare driven from another shaft in the machine. The machine furthercomprises means arranged to be operated from the second shaft forcontrolling the operation of the counter shaft so that when the machineis once started in operation the work presenting and work feedingdevices are caused to operate intermittently in properly timed relationto the operation of the blank forming devices. Preferablythe machine ismade completely automatic by con'ibining with the work controlled meansfor determining the position of blanks to be cut from the sheet materiala second work controlled means for terminating the operation of themachine when the end of the material being operated upon is reached.

Other objects and advantages of the invention and other novelcombinations of parts will be described in the detailed specificationand pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a front view of the illustrative machine; Fig.2 is a view in side elevation and partly in section of the same machinelooking from the right in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine partly in section;

Fig. l is a plan view of the work controlled devices which regulate theoperation of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a section of the work;

Fig. 6 is a section through the work illustrating one of the depressionsformed therein for the purpose of co-operating with one of the machinecontrolling devices;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section along the line 7-7 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a section through the cams shown on the stub shaft; and

Fig. 9 is a section on 9-9 in Fig. 7.

In the illustrated machine there is provided a main shaft 12 adapted tobe driven from a motor 14 through a belt 16 which passes around a pulley18 mounted for rotation on the main shaft and longitudinally slidablethereon to engage a clutch member 20 which is fixed to the shaft.Integral with the pulley 18 is a second pulley 22 which is connected bya belt 24- to a pulley 26 mounted for rotation on the counter shaft 28.Means is provided preferably in the form of a Horton clutch forconnecting the pulley 26 to its shaft 28. the cage portion of the clutchcarrying abutments 30 and 32 as shown in Fig. 7 of the d "awings. Forholding the cage in clutch releasing position there is provided a finger3% having a spring member 36 for engaging the abutment 30, the saidfinger being rigidly connected to or integral with a lever arm 38 havinga cable 40 attached at its free end. the other end of the cable beingconnected to a manually oprated lever such as a treadle or a lever 42arranged to be operated by hand. Upon clutching the pulley 26 to theshaft 28 the latter is caused to rotate and carries with it a cam member44 which is provided.

shown in Figs. 1, 3 and T, with a cam projection which is designed toengage and operate a lever d8 pivoted on a. shaft 50 in the frame of themachine. Mounted on the other end of lever 48 is a pawl (Figs. 3 and 7)designed to engage and operate a set of cams mounted to turn together ona sleeve 54 (Fig. 8) carried by a stud 56 3) mounted in the frame of themachine. As shown the pawl 52 engages an abutment 58 on the cam 60 and,on operation of the lever a8, moves all of the cams in the direction ofthe arrow in Fig. 7, the result of this movement being to release thebrake and cause the clutching of the pulley 18 with the clutch member 20on the main shaft of the machine through mechanism now to be described.lilovement of the cam member 60 in the direction of the arrow resultsalso in movement of the cam member 62 in the same direction with theresult that the operative end of the lever 64; (Fig. 7) is forced out ofthe notch 66 in the cam member 62. Since the lever arm 64L is rigidlyconnected to the shaft 68, the latter is rocked upon the describedmovement of the lever Gal and in turn causes a ro tar-y motion of thesleeve 70 through the intermesl'iing gear teeth 72 carried by andsecured to the shaft (38 and the teeth 74 carried by the sleeve 70(Figs. 7 and 9). Upon rotation of the sleeve 70 the brake arm 76carrying brake member 77 is shifted laterally out of connection with thebrake surface on the brake member 78 which is fixedly secured to themain shaft 12. At a very short inter al after the release of the brakeand almost simultaneously with said release the clutch members on themain shaft are caused to engage through power exercised by the spring 80which tends constantly to move the pulley 18 into frictional contactwith the clutch member 20 (Fig. 3). Normally this movement of the pulley18 along the shaft 12 is prevented by an oscillatory member 82 whichexercises control over the power pulley 18 through pins one of which isshown at 8" 1S slidably mounted in the clutch member 20. Rotativemovement of the member 82 in one direction forces the pins 8% to theright in Fig. 3, thus moving the power pulley 18 away from its clutchmember 20 against the action of the spring 80. whereas movement of themen'iber 82 in the opposite direction permits the spring 80 to move thepulley 18 into frictional contact with the clutch member 20. Member 82is controlled by a lever 86 secured to shaft 50. one end 88 1 being incontact with the cam projection 90 on the cam member 92, the arrangementbeing such that as the set of cam members on the sleeve 54 (Fig. 7) ismoved in the direction of the: arrow, the end 88 of the lever 86 isdropped off of the cam projection. 90. thus permitting the spring 80 tomove the power pulley 18 in the direction to clutch with the clutchmember 20, pressure of the spring 80 being sufficient to cause rotativeor rocking movement of the member 82 which is operatively connected byintermeshing gear teeth 94; on the member 82 with corresponding teeth 96on the arm 98 secured to shaft 50. The described movement of the lever82 is caused by pressure on the balls 100 which, when the machine is atrest, are located at the shallow ends of the grooves 102 (Fig. 7) in themember 82, the arrangement being such that relative movement of theballs along the grooves 102 until they reach the deeper ends thereofcauses rotative or rocking movement of the member 82. Unclutching of thepulley 18 with respect to the clutch member 20 is caused by positivelyturning the member 82 in the opposite direction when the cam projection90 contacts and lifts the end 88 of the lever 86, the latter being, asdescribed, positively connected to the member 82.

The brake mechanism in addition to the features above describedcomprises an arm 108 secured to or integral with the sleeve (Fig. 7) andpressed upon by a spring 110 which tends constantly to return the brakearm 76 into operative position. For this reason the brake member 77rides along the side of the brake membe' 78'and finall comes intocontact with the periphery of the brake member 78 at a low portionthereof and finally rides upon the high part 112 of the brake member 78to perform its braking action. In any overthrow of the main shaft thebrake member 77 will ride down into the notch 114C and up the incline116 of the member 78 and then will return to the notch 114, thussecuring the stoppage of the machine invariably in the same position. Asthe brake member 77 rides up on the high portions of the brake member78. it compresses the spring 118 which is coiled around the bolt 120pivotally connected to the end of the lever 122 which is fixedly securedto the shaft 68. It will be clear that the braking action of the member77 upon the periphery of the brake 78 can be varied by adjusting thetension of the spring 118 through the adjusting members 1.24- on thebolt 120, this adjustment being for the purpose of compensation for thewear between the contacting surfaces of the brake members.

The set of cam plates comprising plates 60, 62 and 92 above described ismounted fixedly upon a sleeve 54 which turns on the stud 56 (Figs. 3, 7and 8), includes also cam plate 128 which carries a cam abutment 130(Fig. 7 adapted to operate the lever arm 132 for a purpose hereinafterdescribed. Mounted on the stud 56 and fixedly secured thereto is a gearwheel 134: constantly in mesh with a gear 136 on the main shaft 12 (Fig.Projecting from one face of the gear wheel 134i is a pin 138, the freeend of which is relatively movable along a concentric slot 140 in thecam member 92, a spring 142 being positioned in said slot and having oneend abuttingagainst the end of the slot and its other end engagingagainst the pin in the slot so that movement of the cam plates byengagement of the pawl 52 with the cam abutment 58 on member 60 isopposed by the spring which operates to return the set of cam plates toa predetermined relation with respect to the gear wheel 13% and this itaccomplishes freely after rotation, of the gear 134 commences. Upon acomplete rotation of the gear 13st and the cam plates including camplate 128, the lever arm 132 isoperated to withdraw a stop linger lell(parallel with the stop finger 3-3: as shown in Fig. 2) from. beneaththe stop abutment 32 (Fig. 7), thus permitting the clutch on shaft 28 toagain engage so that said shaft is driven and along with it the cammember 44, the said shaft and cam member being arranged to operate thework feeding mechanism and the work support operating means ashereinafter described. Rotation of the set of cam plates also brings thecam projection 90 on cam plate 92 around to position to actuate thelever arm 86. thus disconnecting the power pulley 18 from the clutchpulley 20 on the main shaft above described and also brings the camplate 62 in such position that the cam notch 66 receives the operativeend of the brake lever 64.

The work support 146 is carried by a carriage 148 (Fig. 1) arranged tobe moved toward and from the knife 150 and pattern 152 of a blankcut-ting mechanism well known in the art and which is preferably likethat shown in United States Letters Patent to Julian, No. 1,092,998,granted April 14, 1914. Means is provided for lifting the work supportin properly timed re lation to the operation of the cutting means, thesaid lifting means comprising prefer-- ably a toggle mechanismconsisting of links 15 i, 156, the upper of which are connected to thecarriage and the lower to a supporting member 158 pivoted at 160 on theframe of the machine and supported at its other end by a spring 162 sothat upon straightening of the toggle the work support is pressedyieldingly against the form or pattern 1 2 to accommodate the worksupport to work of varying thickness. The means for operating the togglecomprises in the construction shown a shaft 164: mounted in bearings166, 168 and 170 in the frame of the machine. the said shaft carryingrigidly secured thereto a lever arm 172 which is connected by a link 171 with the lower links 156 of the toggle to operate the same. Fixedlysecured to the other end of the shaft 164: is an arm 176 which isconnected by a pitman rod 1'78 to one end of a bell crank 180 pivoted at182 in the frame of the machine, the other arm of the bell crankcarrying a roll 18% movable along a cam slot 186 in the cam member ll(Fig. 7). It will be clear that upon rotation of the cam wheel 4d. thework supportoperating mechanism, including the toggle will be caused tolift the work support toward the cutting mechanism and maintain it insuch position during the cutting operation, that is, while the roll 18%is traveling along the concentric portion of the slot 186 (Fig. 7).

Means is preferably provided for moving the work step by step across thework support 1 16, the work feeding means being continuously driven bymechanism hereinafter described. This feeding means comprises feedingbelts 188 having pins or prongs 190 projecting therefrom and adapted toengage with a pad (not shown) upon which the workis supported. The saidbelts are driven by means of wheels 19% mounted upon axles 196 carriedin hearings in the ends of the carriage 1&8, the said wheels havingstuds 198 projecting from the periphery thereof to engage in openings inthe belt positively to drive the same. Means is provided forintermittently rotating the belt carrying wheels comprising, in theconstruction shown, a shaft 196 which is one of the axles beforementioned, the said shaft carrying a gear wheel 200 constantly in meshwith a gear 202 on a counter shaft 20st mounted in bearings in themachine, of which one is shown at 206 (Fig. 2) and another at 208 shownin Fig. 3 of the drawings. Mounted loosely upon the shaft 204: at theend adjacent the bearing 206 is a sleeve 210 adapted to be operativelyconnected to the shaft by a clutch (Fig. 2) and carrying secured fixedlythereto a bevel gear 212 which is con 7 stantly in mesh with a bevelgear 214 at the lower end of the vertical shaft 216. Since the feedbelts and the driving mechanism so far described are supported on thevertically movable carriage 148, the shaft 216 is made in two partswhich slidably engage each other as indicated in Figs. 2 and 7, theoverlapping ends 218 and 220 being clearly shown in the latter figure asenclosed in a sleeve 222. At the upper end of the shaft 216 is a bevelgear 22% constantly in mesh with a bevel gear 226 which is securelyfixed to a shaft 28. It follows that when the pulley 26 is clutched tothe shaft 28,'the latter is rotated and through the chain of drivingmechanism described, causes a rotation of the shaft 196 which carriesone pair of belt carrying wheels 194: and thus drives the beltcontinuously in one direction. It is preferred to control the length ofeach feeding movement through the work and this is especially desirablewhere, as in the present instance, the sheet material to be operatedupon possesses definite markings which it is desirable to locate at thesame point in each blank cut from the sheet material.

In the illustration of Fig. 5, a piece of rubber stock is shown providedat regular intervals with a marking which may be an ornamental design ormedallion or a marking indicating the size or quality or any othercharacteristic of the blank to be cut therefrom. This invention isillustrated in connection with the cutting of soles from the sheet 228of rub er or other material, which sheet has regularly impressed thereonmedallions 230 which, as stated, it is desirable to position in themiddle of each sole as it is cut from the sheet. Accordingly, the sheetis also provided with depressions 232 adapted to engage or be engaged byan element of the mechanism which controls the feeding means for thework. It will be understood that the depressions are illu trative merelyof one means which can be provided on the sheet material to act as acontrolling means in the manner referred to, it being obvious thatprojections from the surface or notches in the edge of the sheetmaterial might be used as equivalents. It will be understood that eachdepression 232 is located in definite relation with respect to themedallion next adjacent thereto. lVhen the pad and the work thereon areplaced in the machine they are positioned against a member so that theline of depressions 232 will pass directly under the device which is toengage the depressions successively. This device is part of a workcontrolled mechanism which, in turn, regulatesand controls the operatingmeans for the feed belts so that the work will be brought to a stop withthe medallion properly located under the pattern 152.

The controlling means for the work feeding means comprises in theconstruction shown a lever arm 284: fixedly mounted upon a stud shaft236 carried in a bracket 23S extending from the work support 146. theend of the arm having a projecting portion 240 (Fig. '7) designed toengage and drop into each depression 232 as it. is presented during thefeed of the work. Fixedly secured to the same stub shaft 236 is a lever242 to one end of which is connected 3. sprin having one end attached tothe lever and'the other to the work support and operative to keep theend 24:0 of the lever arm pressed yieldingly upon the work. The otherend of the lever 242 is provided with pin 2% which extends laterallybeneath a 2 1-8 which is loosely mounted on the stub shaft 236. In theposition of the finger 2-l8 in Fig. 7 its end rests upon the upper endof an arm 250 extendingfrom pawl 252 mounted upon a stud 254 carried bya bracket 256 which extends from the carriage 1&8, the latter carryingthe ill) work support as above described. As shown the pawl 252 isengaged with one of the teeth of a ratchet member 258 which extends fromthe cage of a Horton clutch which is the clutch utilized to connect thesleeve 210 to the shaft 204 referred to above (see Fig. 2 of the dranWhen the pawl is thus engaged with the ratchet the cage is movedrelatively to the rota-ting sleeve 210 to clutch releasing position andthus the sleeve 210 is operatively disconnected from the shaft 204 andthe feeding of the feed belts .is stopped. At such a. time the worksupport may be dropped in work receiving position shown in the drawingsor thesupport may be raised with the work on the work support pressedagainst the form or pattern 132. As the carriage with all of thesupported structures descends a third arm 260 (Fig. 7) carried by thestud shaft 254 is engaged by the upper end of a stop 262 which ispivoted at 264 on a stationary part, as for instance on the standard ofthe machine. thus throwing the pawl out of engagement with the tooth onthe wheel 258. The cage is at once turned by the usual spring in theHorton clutch mechanism so as to clutch the sleeve 210 and the shaft 204operativelytogether whereby the feed of the work may be resumed uponturning of the S1 eve 210. When the pawl is so moved to disengage theengaged tooth on the ratchet the arm 250 of the pawl is moved to theright in Fig. 7 permitting the end of the finger 248 to engage with theside face of the said arm 250 instead of with the end thereof and thusthe pawl is held out of op erative position with respect to the ratchet258 of the clutch mechanism. When the end of the lever arm 234 dropsinto a depression 2-32 in the sheet material, the finger 248 is liftedby engagement of the pin 246 thereunder and this permits the pawl 252again to engage the ratchet wheel and stop the feed of the work. This isthe position shown in Fig. 7. Since thereis no work on the table, theend 240 of the lever 234 has dropped thus freeing the pawl 252.

Means is preferably provided for stop ping the operation of the machinewhen there is insutiicient material for a blank, the said meanscomprising preferably a teeler or detector member adapted to rest uponthe material and to be moved downwardly as soon as the material ispassed, means being provided for causing the feeler or detector toengage the work and to move to such position .to control the stopmechanism of the machine as soon as the work has passed. In theillustrative construction the feeler or detector member comprises alever arm 266 (Figs4 and 7) .mounted upon a stud shaft 268 in thebracket 256 and having an end 27 0 to rest upon the sheet end of member276 at'all times.

material, means in the form of a spring 272 being provided for urgingthe lever arm downwardly when the end 270 drops off of the work. Securedto the same stud shaft 268 is an upright arm'274 which is constantlyengaged. with an arm 276 extending from a stub shaft 278 mounted in abracket 280 on a stationary part of the frame .of the machine. t will beremembered that the bracket 256, together with all of the movablemembers carried thereby, moves vertically with the work support 146 andcarr'age 148 and hence the end of member 274 arranged in slidableengagement with the Then the machine is started by depressing the lever42 as described above, the stop finger 34 is moved away from the stopabutment 30 to permit engagement of the clutch between the pulley 26 andthe shaft 28, thus beginning the operation of the machine. When thefinger 84 is movedtoward the left in Fig. 7 to release the abutment asdescribed an arm 282 integral with or secured to move with the finger 34is simultaneously moved toward the right to permit another finger orstop 284 (Fig. 7 to engage a side fare of the arm 282 near the endthereof and thus lock the finger 34 out, of clutch releasingposition.The finger or step 284 is caused to move into operative posltlon bymeans of a sprlngpressed plunger 286 acting upon another arm 288fastened to the stud shaft 278. It will be understood. then that whenthe upright arm 274 is actuated by movement of the feeler or detectormember 2136 downwardly the stop or latch 284 is removed from operativeposition against one side of the end of the member 282 and thus permitsthe stop finger 34 to return to operative position under the action ofthe spring 290. With the stop finger 34 in operative position to engagethe abutment 80 the clutch on the shaft 28 is disengaged and the machinestopped At its front end the shaft 12 is provided with a bevel gear 292which is in constant mesh with a bevel gear 294 which is connected up todrive the knife 150 around the pattern or form 152 by mechanism whichforms no part of the present invention but which is fully described inthe patent to Julian referred to above. 1

In the operation of the machine a sheet of fabric or rubber material isplaced upon a pad and introduced into the machine so that each pad restsupon the feed belts 188, the pad being provided so that the edge of theknife 150 may pass slightly below the lower surface of the material tobe cut without being damaged. The work is so placed preliminarily as toengage and lift both of the controlling devices or lever arms 234 and266 with the operative end 240 or the lever arm 234 resting in anopening or depression 232 in the material. With the work in position theoperator depresses the starting lever 42 which withdraws the stop linger3% (Fig. 7) from beneath the abutment of the clutch member, thuspermitting the clutch to operatively connect the pulley 26 with theshaft 28 (Figs. 2 and 3) whereupon the pulley 26, which is constantlydriven, drives the shaft 28 in the direction of the arrow Fig. 7, androtation of the shaft causes, through the mechanism described, a feedmovement of the belts for carrying the work beneath the cuttingmechanism, (provided the feeler 2&0 is not already engaged in adepression), the feeding movement of the belts continuing until a depression is positioned directly below the operative end 240 of the feeler ordetector mem her 284. As the end l0 drops into the depression in thematerial the feeding stops through the engagement of the pawl 252 withthe ratchet wheel 258, thus releasing the feeding shaft 20 from thedriving sleeve 210 as above described. llLieantime the rota tion of thecam let on the shaft 28 causes the work support to be lifted as theroller 18% travels along the cam slot 186 in said cam wheel (Fig. 7),the work support being maintained in raised position while the rollertravels along the concentric portion of said slot as above described. llith the work stationary and clamped against the form or pattern 152, theknife operating mechanism is thrown into operation through theengagement of the cam projection L6 on cam member 42*: with the roundedend of the lever e8 (Figs. 3 and T) by which the power pulley 18 on theshaft 12 is moved into clutching engagement with the clutch member 20fastened to the shaft 12. the end of half a revolution of the shaft 28the stop abutment 32 comes in contact with a stop finger 144 (Fig. 2)which is parallel with the stop finger 34 '7) thus un clutching thedriving pulley 26 from the shaft 28. Shaft 12 continues to rotate untilthe cam projection 90 on the cam plate (Fig. 7) is moved in thedirection o l the arrow back to a position to engage with and lift thelever arm 86 which is mounted on shaft 50, the latter having fixedlysecured thereto the arm 98 which actuates the clutch member 82 (Fig. asabove described to move the power pulley 18 away from the clutch member20 against the resistance of the spring 88. At th same time that theshaft 12 has ceased its rotation the cam proiection 130 on the cam plate128 T) engages with the lever 132 and withdraws the stop finger i lllfrom engagement with the abutment 32. thus permitting the clutching ofthe power pulley 2 6 to the shaft 28,

and starting again the cycle of operations beginning with the feeding ofthe work and the lifting the work support. During all 1 armatthis timethe stop linger 3a which was moved laterally to release the abutment 30in starting the machine has been held out of operative position by theengagement of the stop arm 28% (Fig. 7) with the end of arm 282 which isattached rigidly to the same shaft that carries the stop arm 84:.Moreover, this stop finger 34 is held out of operative position untilthe material is all operated upon, that is until the feeler or detectormember 270 drops off of the end of the work, whereupon the arm 274:(Fig. 7) engages with the lever arm 276 to remove the stop arm 28a andthus permit the stop finger 3a to move back into position to engage theabutment 82 whereupon the clutch is thrown out and the machine stoppedafter finishing its cycle of operations. It is pointed out that whilethe stop finger 141- is controlled by mechanism in the machinecomprising the cam projection 180 on the cam plate 128 to remove thestop finger 1% from the path of the abutment 32, there is no meansautomatically operated for removing the stop linger 3 1: from operativeposition with respect to the stop 30, this latter operation beingaccomplished through depression of the starting lever 4&2 by theoperator. It will be clear that the machine operates automatically tofeed the work and cut blanks therefrom without further attention on thepart of the operator after the work has been introduced and the machineonce started. in Fig. 7 the machine is shown with the work supportdepressed in work receiving position and with the operating parts of themachine at rest through the operation of the stop finger 3 1 inco-operation with the abutment 3G in the clutch device on shaft 28. Whenthe machine is started from this position the feeding and work supportlifting mechanisms are operated through one half of a revolution of theshaft 28 which is then stopped by the engagement of the abutment 32 withthe stop finger 1&4; Thereafter the shaft 28 makes complete revolution:t'ollowing each. operation of the blank :li'orming device, thearrangement being such that the work support rises and falls during eachrevolution of the shaft 28 to permitthe work to be fed and to clamp thework yieldingly against the pattern or form ll'loreover. the workfeeding device is operated during both the downward and upward mo ementof the work support thus furnishing a relatively long period duringwhich the feeding device may operate. It will be understood, however.that the operation of the feeding means is so controlled by the feeleror detector 234: that the feeding of the work is stopped on the instantthat the end 240 of the feeler drops into one of the depressions in thework.

It will be evident that the pattern 152 may he changed to substituteanother of different size or shape without affecting the operation ofthe machine, since the feeding of the work is controlled by thedepression which is opposite the center of the blank. In the case ofrubber fabric it is immaterial that the cutting of smaller blanks leavesa greater amount of waste since the waste material may be returned tothe mass of rubber and remolded into the new sheets prepared for blankcutting operations.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a machine for operatingon work having medallions or other designs stamped thereon in spacedrelation to each other, a work support, means for feeding the work overthe support, organized to run continuously in the'absence of outsidecontrol, and means controlled with relation to the designs on the workfor governing the operation of the work feeding means.

2. In a machine of the class described, a reciprocable work support,means carried by the work support for feeding the work thereover, andmeans for simultaneously operating the work support and the work feedingmeans to cause operation of the work feeding means during reciprocationin both directions of the work support.

3. In a machine of the class described, blank forming devices, acarriage, a work support and means for feeding work over the supportboth carried by said carriage in movements toward and from said blankforming devices, and means controlled by the work for governing theoperation of the feeding means.

4. In a machine of the class described. a movable work support, meanscarried by the work support for feeding the work there over, means foroperating the work support and for sinuiltaneously operating the workfeeding means on both the work presenting and work releasing movementsof the work support, and means controlled by the work for controllingsaid work feeding means.

5. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting table, workfeeding means carried by the table for progressing the work across thelatter, means organized for driving the feeding means continuously inthe absence of outside control, and means controlled by a characteristicof the works for stopping the feeding means at predetermined intervals.

6. In a machine of the class described, a work support, work feedingmeans operative to progress the work across the work support, means foroperating the work feeding means comprising a clutch mechanism, meansmounted on the table for controlling said clutch, means controlledby thework for determining the time of operation of the controlling means tostop the feed of the work, and means automatically operative to restartthe feeding of the work.

7. In amachine of the class described, a work operating tool, a carriagecomprising a work support, means mounted on the carriage for feedingwork over the support, means for moving the carriage vertically topresent the work on the support to the work operating tool, means foroperating the work feeding means comprising a clutch, and awork-controlled member mounted on the carriage for controlling saidclutch.

8. In a machine of the class described, a work support, means carriedthereby for feeding the work over the support, means for operating thework support and the work feeding means simultaneously, means controlledby the work for governing the operation of the work feeding means, andmeans on a stationary part of the machine for setting the governingmeans in operative osition.

9. 'n a machine of the class described, a work support, work feedingmeans carried by the support for feeding work thereover, means foroperating the work support and the work feeding means simultaneouslycomprising a counter shaft, a main shaft, blank forming means operatedby said main shaft and means operated by said main shaft for controllingthe operation of said counter shaft.

10. In a machine of the class described, a work support, means carriedthereby for feeding the work over the support, means mounted on thestationary frame of the machine for operating the work support and thework feeding means simultaneously, means carried by the work support andcontrolled by the work for governing the operation of the work feedingmeans, and means on a stationary part of the machine for setting thegoverning means in operative position.

11. In a machine of the class described, a work support, work feedingmeans carried by the support for feeding work thereover, means foroperating the work support and the work feeding means simultaneouslycomprising a counter shaft, a main shaft, blank forming means operatedby said main shaft, and a cam operated by said main. shaft forcontrolling the operation of said counter shaft.

12. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting table, workfeeding means carried by the table for progressing the work across thelatter, means for driving the feeding means continuously in onedirection, means controlled by a characteristic of the work for stoppingthe feeding means at predetermined intervals, and means controlled bythe work for stopping the machine.

13. In a machine of the class described. a work support, work feedingmeans carried by the work support and operative to progress the workacross the table, means for operating the work feeding meanscontinuously in one direction comprising a clutch mechanism, meansmounted on the table for controlling said clutch, and means controlledby the work for determining; the time of operation of the firstmentioned controlling means.

14. In a machine of the class described, awork operating tool, acarriage comprising a work support, means mounted on the carriage forfeeding work over the support, means for moving the carriage verticallyto present the work on the support to the work operating tool, means foroperatingthe work feeding means comprising a clutch,

a member mounted on the carriage for controlling said clutch, and meanscontrolled by the work for controlling said member.

15. In a machine of the class described, a wor I support, cuttingmechanism for operating on material on the support. means forprogressing the material across the support, means for operating thematerial pro grossing means, means controlled by the work fordetermining the position of the work for a cutting operation, andseparate means controlled by the work for terminating the operation ofthe ma iine.

16. In a machine of the class described, a carriage comprising a worksupport, means mounted on the carriage for feeding work over the worksupport, cutting mechanism mounted above the work support and towardwhich the work support is moved to present the work for cuttingoperations, means for lifting: the carriage to cause the work support topresent the work to the cutting mechanism, and mechanism mounted on thestationary portions of the frame for operating the work feeding; meansand the carriage lifting means.

17. In a machine of the class described, a pattern adapted to be pressedupon the work, a cutter arranged for movement around the pattern to cutblanks from the material, a carriage comprising a work support, meansfor moving the work over the support, means for moving the carriage topress the wok against the pattern, means for operating the feeding meanscontinu ously in one direction comprisi. a clutch, means mounted. on thecarriage for controlling the clutch, :neans controlled by the work forcontrolling said first mentioned controlling means, and means mounted ona stationary part of the machine frame and operative to move the clutchcontrolling means to inoperative position.

18. In machine of the class described, a work support, means for feedingthe work over the support comprising an endless belt,

means tordrivine the belt continuously in one direction comprising aclutch, a ratchet member in said clutch, a pawl adapted to engageselectively with the teeth of said ratchet to stop the movement of thebelt, and means controlled by the work support for moving said pawl toinoperative position to release the clutch and initiate feeding movementof the belt.

19. In a machine of the class described, a pattern adapted to be pressedupon the work, a cutter arranged for movement around the pattern to cutblanks from the material, a carriage comprising a work support, meansfor moving the work over the support, means 'for moving the carriage topress the work against the pattern, means for operating the feedingmeans continuously in one direction comprising a clutch, means mountedon the carriage for controlling the clutch, means controlled by the workfor controlling said first mentioned controlling means, and meansmounted on a stationary part of the machine frame and operative to setthe clutch controlling; means upon downward movement of the carriage.

20. In a machine of the class described, a work support, means forfeeding the work over the support, means for driving the feeding meanscontinuously in one direction comprising a clutch, a ratchet member insaid clutch, a pawl adapted to engage selectively with the teeth of saidratchet to cause disconnection of the clutch and stoppage of the feedingmeans, and means controlled by the work for determining the time ofoperation of said pawl.

21. In a maehineof the class described, a work support, cuttingmechanism for operating on material on the support, means forprogressing the material across the support, means for operating thematerial progressing means, means controlled by the work for determiningthe position of the work for a cutting operation, and separate meanscontrolled by the work for terminating; the operation of the machine.

22. In a machine of the class described, a carriage comprising a worksupport, means mounted on the carriage for feeding work from the worksupport, cutting mecl anism mounted above the work support and towardwhich the work support is moved to present the work for cuttingoperations, means for lifting the carriage to cause the work support topress the work against the cutting mechanism, mechanism mounted on thestationary portions of the frame for operating the work feeding meansand the carriage lifting means, and manually operable means forinitiating the operation of said operating mechanism.

, 23. In a machine of the class described, blank forming devices, meansfor operating said devices comprising a main shaft, means the countershaft, means on the counter' shaft,

for causing the connection of the other power pulley with the inainshaft, means operated by the main shaft for controlling the connectionof the first mentioned power pulley with its counter shaft, and meanscontrolled byv the work for unclutching the firstmentioned power pulleyfrom the counter shaft and thus terminating the operation of themachine.

24. In a machine of the class described, blank forming devices, meansfor operating said devices comprising a main shaft, means for presentingthe work to the blank forming device comprising a work support, meansfor feeding the work over the support, means for operating the worksupport and the work feeding means comprising a counter shaft, a powerpulley on said counter shaft, and means under the control of theoperator for clutching the power pulley to the counter shaft, a powerpulley and brake mechanism on the main shaft, means on the counter shaftfor controlling the application of the pulley and brake on the mainshaft, and means operated by the main shaft for controlling theclutching and unclutching of the power pulley on the counter shaft sothat the counter shaft is caused to operate in timed relation with theoperations of the main shaft whereby blanks are formed from successiveportions of the sheet material.

25. In a machine of the class described, a work support, means forfeeding the work across the work supporting surface of the work support,a tool for operating on the work, operating mechanism for the workfeeding means comprising a clutch, a feeler mounted to contact with thework and operative to control the clutch whereby the work is stopped inposition for the operation of the too and means automatically operativeto restart the feeding of the work after the operation of the tool.

26. In a machine of the class described, a tool for operating on thework, a carriage comprising a work support, means mounted on the carria'e for feeding the work over the support, mechanism for moving thecarriage vertically to present the work on the support to the tool,operating mechanism for the work feeding means comprising a clutch, anda feeler arranged to contact with the work and to be operated therebyfor governing the clutch whereby the Work may be brought to rest inproper position for the operation of the tool.

27. In a machine for operatingon work having medallions or other designsstampedthereon spaced relation to eachother, a} work support, meansforfeeding, the work over the support, a tool for operatingon the work,means for lifting the work'suppo'r't to present the work to; the tool,a; feeler arranged to rest on the work while the latter is being fed andtobe operate d by the work as the medallions arrive successively inposltlon beneath thetool, and connfectionsbetween the feeler and thework feeding means whereby operation of the} latter is discon-c tinu'edwhen each medallion has arrived in proper relation to the cutting; tool.

28. In a machine for operating on; sheets of material having medallionsor other designs inspaced relation thereon, a table for supporting thesheet material, means carried by the table for moving the sheet materialacross the work supporting surface thereof, a tool for cutting blanksfrom the sheet material, the table being movable toward and from thetool to permit feeding of the work and to present the work to the tool,a feeler for contacting with the sheet material and arranged to beoperated by the sheet material whenever the end of the feeler comesdirectly opposite one of the medallions or designs on the sheetmaterial, and connections between the feeler and the feeding means forthe sheet material to stop the operation of the latter when a medallionon the sheet material is located in proper relation to the cutting tool.

29. In a machine of the class described, a work support, a tool foroperating on mate rial on the support, means for moving the materialacross the work supporting surface of the support, a feeler arranged tocontact with the material and to be operated thereby when the work is inproper position for the operation of the tool, connections between thefeeler and the feeding means to stop the work in the position described,and a detector also arranged to rest on the work and movable to detectthe absence of work and to stop the machine when the work is exhausted;

30. In a machine of the class described, a work support, a tool foroperating on material on the support, means for moving the materialcontinuously across the work supporting surface of the support, a feelerarranged to contact with the material and to be operated thereby whenthe work is in proper position for the operation of the tool, andconnections between the feeler and I sheet material, means for feedingthe sheet material over the support, means for driving the feeding meanscontinuously in one direction comprising a clutch, a feeler ar ranged tocontact with the work in line with the cup shaped depressions and todrop into each depression in turn, and" connections between the feelerand the clutch whereby the feeding means is stopped whenever the feelerdrops into one of the depressions, a tool for operating on the work, andmeans for lifting the work support to present the sheet material to thetool with the medallion properly positioned in the field of operation ofthe tool.

32. In a machine for operating on work having medallions or otherdesigns stamped thereon in spaced relation to each other, a worksupport, feed belts for moving the work over the support, a tool foroperating on the work to cut blanks therefrom, means for lifting thework support to present the work to the tool, means for driving the feedbelts so as to feed the work over the support during movements of thework support toward and away from the tool, a feeler arranged to rest onthe work while the latter is being fed and to be operated by the work asthe medallions arrive successively in position beneath the tool, andconnections between the feeler and the feed belt driving means wherebyoperation of the latter is discontinued when each medallion has arrivedin proper relation to the cutting tool.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

EUGENE J. RAY.

